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PIP : Capita home assessment

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10 years 2 weeks ago - 10 years 2 weeks ago #118642 by Astralsurfer
PIP : Capita home assessment was created by Astralsurfer
Thought my recent experience might be of help...

My PIP claim was submitted to DWP at the end of December 2013.

A word of warning, my DWP letter gave me only 24 hours to phone them and request a PIP claim form. Failure to do so could have resulted in DLA stopped until the new PIP claim was sorted out. I phoned and had a 10 minute Q and A with DWP and was told a PIP claim form would be sent. I still had 4 months DLA before the end of the award period. The PIP form arrived mid December and had to be returned before the end of December, so the timescales were very tight bearing in mind Bank Holidays etc.

I had a phone call from Capita mid February to arrange a date and time for the assessment. Three different times on two dates were offered and I was told the name of the health professional and asked to have photo ID and a utility bill available as proof of ID. The arrangement was confirmed in writing along with the Capita booklet on what happens during the visit. That was very helpful.

Capita nurse was prompt, confirmed her ID and when I asked she advised her professional qualifications. She quickly went through what she'd be doing, explaining that basically it was going through the content of the form in more detail. She said she'd be typing directly onto her laptop but to talk through her questions and she'd read back what she'd written both as we went along and again at the end.

She listened carefully, typed quickly and I found her attentive and sympathetic. I was very clear about the areas I wanted to concentrate on and skipped those where descriptors weren't going to add much. She started with a list of medication; my repeat prescription with explanation as to how I managed pain meds. She took a detailed note of my main health issues and also recorded some historic conditions on the basis that they added to the overall picture.

She asked how I was affected and what effect that had on my day to day life and activity. She asked what work I did before retirement and what my interests were and how many of those I was still able to undertake. She said it was important to show what I used to enjoy and could no longer do.

She took blood pressure and said she wouldn't do the physical test as she'd seen the difficulty I have with movement and would comment to that effect. She read through her notes and they appeared to accurately reflect the information I'd given.

The assessment lasted 1 hour 10 minutes. I was as well prepared as I could have been, but still found it quite a strain. She said her report would be submitted to the DWP decision maker and I would either receive a letter advising the amount of any award if the claim succeeded or a phone call if it was unsuccessful. She thought it might take about 6 weeks.

So now it's wait and see.
Last edit: 10 years 2 weeks ago by Gordon.

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10 years 2 weeks ago #118644 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic PIP : Capita home assessment
Astralsurfer

Thank you for posting I am sure that others will appreciate this.

A question! I am concerned at the timescales you mention, whilst they make no allowance for delays in the post, claimants should be allowed four weeks to make a new claim for PIP and four weeks to complete and return the PIP claim form, did your letters state shorter timescales for these two activities?

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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10 years 2 weeks ago #118650 by Astralsurfer
Replied by Astralsurfer on topic PIP : Capita home assessment
The timescales were up the spout!

The DWP letter was dated 27/11. I received it Friday 29/11 and it said I had until 30/11 to contact them. I'd have been stuffed if it hadn't arrived til the following Monday.

I phoned immediately and after the questions, I was told I should submit a claim on the PIP form. The timing started on the date of the phone call. The form took over 2 weeks to arrive. It was delivered on 18/12. Great timing! I completed it after Christmas and posted it on 27/11, recorded delivery to prove it was posted before the cut off date which was either 29/12 or 30/12.

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10 years 2 weeks ago #118652 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic PIP : Capita home assessment
Astralsurfer

Thanks for confirming this.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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9 years 11 months ago - 9 years 11 months ago #119394 by Astralsurfer
Replied by Astralsurfer on topic PIP : Capita home assessment
An update following a recent home assessment by Capita. My DLA award period finishes in a few days. I've claimed PIP but awaiting the outcome. Today I've had a letter from DWP to advise that the award period has been extended until there's a decision on my PIP claim. Good news for me; I hadn't expected a further DLA payment after the one in March! Yippee! It feels like a bonus, I know it isn't, but at least I know where I am for the next 28 days and I'm hopeful there will be a decision before the end of that period.
Last edit: 9 years 11 months ago by Gordon.

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9 years 11 months ago #119395 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic PIP : Capita home assessment

Astralsurfer wrote: An update following a recent home assessment by Capita. My DLA award period finishes in a few days. I've claimed PIP but awaiting the outcome. Today I've had a letter from DWP to advise that the award period has been extended until there's a decision on my PIP claim. Good news for me; I hadn't expected a further DLA payment after the one in March! Yippee! It feels like a bonus, I know it isn't, but at least I know where I am for the next 28 days and I'm hopeful there will be a decision before the end of that period.


You should continue to receive DLA until 4 weeks after a Decision is made on your PIP claim.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Astralsurfer

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